Pretty Dancing Butterfly Plant

I took a trip to my favorite Garden Centre yesterday with Little Helper #1. As we were walking through the greenhouse a woman passed us carrying a plant. Little Helper exclaimed 'it lookes like a pretty dancing butterfly plant', so we went off in search of one. Here is Oxalis - Purple Shamrock, and it really does look like butterflies, the thin stalks sway at the slightest bit of air movement.


The pale lilac coloured flowers are a very dainty addition.

Oriental lily Miss Lucy also came home with us, and will be planted at the end of April (I'm putting that here as a reminder to self!)

Yesterdays first day of spring walkabout was rewarding, I didn't think the daffs would be emerging yet, but they are. Some are old, and some are new - it's especially nice to see new bulbs as I always worry about location/depth/inadequate soil drainage, so it's nice to know the bulbs survived the winter.

I have an old bed with a mix of green & burgundy shoots. I'm not sure what is causing this, it's possible that the dark ones are old tulips.

Hopefully from the little shoots, will come something like this...

I purchased this Calla recently, I just adore the shape of the blooms and although white is my favorite, the pink blush is very appealing.

This handcrafted daisy found it's way home with me a few days ago. It was made at a facility where physically and mentally handicapped adults operate a garden centre and gift shop, tending to the plants and making beautiful garden art (trellises from old windows, colourful birdhouses, welcome signs etc..) Now I need to find the right spot for it In The Garden.

Freaky Monday - Buchart Gardens & Area

I just can't wait until Friday to share these pictures with you! They were taken by Mr. In The Garden, he recently spent a day Victoria and I sent him armed with my back up camera and the instructions 'take some pictures for my blog'. I think they turned out beautifully.

There's nothing quite like a naturalized field of daffodils, I wish we had the climate to grow this here.

Tress are in bloom everywhere.





This is a camelia that I purchased some years ago as a gift, it seems to be growing well.



And here are some pictures from Butchart Gardens, this is the famous 'Sunken Garden',

And some pictures of indoor displays,

I really like the round water feature shown below.

Dance of Joy! Signs of Spring.

There were definite signs of spring today! The first were some ladybugs in a sunny part of the yard, it was wonderful to see them again.



Next, I was walking up my front walkway, and you could have knocked me over with a feather when I noticed this next sign of spring. A crocus (a few actually) are starting to peek through. I'm so excited about this new bed, and look forward to seeing how it develops over it's first year.


I investigated the area a little further, and saw that my 'problem child' bed is slowly melting. I had completely forgotten that I moved some lamium into it last year, so it made for a pleasant surprise.

A little ways away, Sweet Woodruff is also emerging.

I had been worried about this little globe cedar, it had become frozen into ice in a terribly contorted and flattened state, and I didn't know if it would recover. It looked as if the branches might be damaged. Now it is free of winters clutches and is looking remarkably well.

I searched the area for more crocuses, and found a few. Then I came across these lovely shoots. I suspect it is a snowdrop. I have never planted them before, so it is especially nice to see them.

Let's hope it isn't too early for this new growth, I hope to have pictures of blooms to share with you fairly soon. I realize that the pictures here are primarily brown, and may not be much to get excited about, but perhaps you can see what I see?

Meconopsis seeds & Dahlia bulbs.

Those of you who follow my blog may know that I have the rule of thumb to not start seedlings indoors, for various reasons.

But sometimes things change. For example, this arrived in the mail the other day:

Leaving me with a mixed feeling of excitement and anxiety, in approximately equal parts. I am trying to decide the best method for stratification, so I will be searching your blogs for tips.

Leading to the purchase of a few items...

And then 3 Edinburgh Dahlias, just beacause. I rememeber seeing them in some of your blogs last fall (Lona? Catherine?) and falling for them. I have NO IDEA how to grow them, so any advice would be appreciated.

I hit the jackpot finding these great pots when out shopping at a discount houseware shop the other day. I think they will be lovely for a childs potted vegetable garden (patio tomatoes, strawberries and maybe green onions, chives or parsley).

Another great gardening find today was the 2010 plant list catalogue from my local centre, which I am mulling over with a fine toothed comb. My want list for this year has already grown considerably. Cool Splash Dwarf Honeysuckle (Diervilla sessilifolia 'LPDC Podaras') is a gorgeous white/green variegated shrub, and I have been impressed with pictures of Incrediball Hydrangea, but the description of 'Big blooms emerge lime green, change to pure white and mature to green' has my heart racing, since I love both green and white blooms. Now where am I going to put them all?

It feels like gardening season is starting, albeit slowly. Probably 10 weeks or so til it's time to plant annuals, but I have a bag of Sunshine Mix ready & waiting ( I swear these have become much heavier over the years!)

Happy Gardening, or at least Garden planning!

March is finally here!

We had glorious weather today to welcome the new month. I always enjoy March, it is a month of many changes and seems shorter than 28 (/29) day February. We were in the double digits today, and it was so enjoyable to spend time at a local park. I *think* the buds on my lilacs are starting to green. I look forward to the upcoming growth.



I tend to stay off of paths, and find tree lined walks through the park.

The sky was an amazing colour, this picture doesn't do it justice.